DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.3488#0021
( 7 )
vitrum obsidianum of Pliny, called by the modern Italians the antique
- paste; and which the ancients manufactured of various colours.
All the polite arts falling with the ruins of the Roman empire, that of
Engraving on Stones shared the common fate of the rest ; lying buried
in oblivion till the beginning of the fifteenth century, when it began to
revive in Italy, and was prosecuted with great assiduity and success; the
diamond itself not only submitting to incision, but a great improvement
and variety being introduced into the several materials of crystalline and
other pastes, the more susceptible of incision, as incapable of duration.
But however successful the moderns have been in improving the me-
chanical part of this art, they have hitherto fallen greatly short of the
beauty of ancient design; as, it is presumed, may be sufficiently gathered
from the following colle&ion of drawings accurately delineated from the
sculptures themselves, or impressions taken from such as could not be
obtained.
It was designed to have given with this collection a particular account
of the nature and workmanship of each gem; but the death of Mr. Worr
lidge, and the indispensible avocations of the gentleman who intended to
furnish materials for such accounts, have created the necessity of annexing
only a popular explanation of the several subjedts : which, though not
so satisfa&ory as could be wished to the artist and antiquary, it is hoped
will give amusement and satisfaction to many os those who have honoured
this work by their subscription and encouragement.
*** The reader will see the size of the gem, with the name of its sub-
ject, and also that of the colleAion in which it is preserved,
engraved on the respestive plates.
CATALOGUE
vitrum obsidianum of Pliny, called by the modern Italians the antique
- paste; and which the ancients manufactured of various colours.
All the polite arts falling with the ruins of the Roman empire, that of
Engraving on Stones shared the common fate of the rest ; lying buried
in oblivion till the beginning of the fifteenth century, when it began to
revive in Italy, and was prosecuted with great assiduity and success; the
diamond itself not only submitting to incision, but a great improvement
and variety being introduced into the several materials of crystalline and
other pastes, the more susceptible of incision, as incapable of duration.
But however successful the moderns have been in improving the me-
chanical part of this art, they have hitherto fallen greatly short of the
beauty of ancient design; as, it is presumed, may be sufficiently gathered
from the following colle&ion of drawings accurately delineated from the
sculptures themselves, or impressions taken from such as could not be
obtained.
It was designed to have given with this collection a particular account
of the nature and workmanship of each gem; but the death of Mr. Worr
lidge, and the indispensible avocations of the gentleman who intended to
furnish materials for such accounts, have created the necessity of annexing
only a popular explanation of the several subjedts : which, though not
so satisfa&ory as could be wished to the artist and antiquary, it is hoped
will give amusement and satisfaction to many os those who have honoured
this work by their subscription and encouragement.
*** The reader will see the size of the gem, with the name of its sub-
ject, and also that of the colleAion in which it is preserved,
engraved on the respestive plates.
CATALOGUE